Hallettsville woman remembered as family person who worked hard, cared for others

The Crossroads this week lost a woman loved ones described as a hard worker who put others first.

Bernice Ehler Sevcik died Wednesday afternoon after she was found unresponsive inside her gray 2006 Nissan Frontier, which sat in a yard at 161 Lay St., according to a Hallettsville Police Department news release. She was 79.

The mother of six took pride in her family, which includes 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, said Annette Sevcik, Sevcik's daughter-in-law. The love of her life was Clifton Sevcik, her husband of nearly 60 years.

Annette Sevcik recalled the joy her mother-in-law felt being around the family, especially in watching the kids play softball or baseball. Christmas was her favorite time of year, she added, because it was a time everyone came together for good food and companionship.

"She was a very simple person - not elaborate in any form or fashion," her daughter-in-law said. "She loved to laugh."

A Texas native, Bernice Sevcik was born in the Shiner area. She served as a home health care provider, caring for others in nursing homes and the like.

"She loved taking care of people," her daughter-in-law said. "That really was who she was. She would've done anything in the world for you."

That care extended to her gardens, which were always filled with vegetables and flowers.

"They were like her peace. She would go out and mess with her flowers all day," she said. "She loved roses especially."

Bernice Sevcik was never one to mix words, her daughter-in-law said, and people never had to guess how she was feeling.

"And that's a good thing," she said. "She was a good, honest person. She lived a simple life, but she was happy that way."